An 18-year-old who reported his father to the FBI weeks before his dad participated in the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 says he feels “guilty,” but he would “definitely do it again.”
Jackson Reffitt of Texas says his father, Guy Reffitt, threatened to “shoot” him if he reported him to authorities.
Mr. Reffitt was later arrested for his role in the breach on the U.S. Capitol, facing charges of obstruction of justice and of knowingly entering a restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, according to The New York Times. He also reportedly told authorities he brought a pistol with him to D.C.
Jackson’s sister, according to an affidavit, said she did not view her father as a threat to the family, Fox 4 News reported. Jackson’s mother and wife to Mr. Reffitt “told investigators he is ‘super passionate’ and sometimes says things he doesn’t mean, according to the affidavit,” the report added.
The family had no idea Jackson reported Mr. Reffitt to the F.B.I. until he made an appearance on CNN, the teen noted.
“I put my emotions behind me to do what I thought was right,” Jackson said, according to the Times.
“It was my moral compass, kind of, to do what I thought would protect not only my family, but my dad himself,” the teen told Fox 4 News. “And it wasn’t just because I think my dad is aggressive, I think what he’s been manipulated into thinking is aggressive.”
“If you turn me in, you’re a traitor,” Jackson says his father told him. “And you know what happens to traitors. Traitors get shot.”
The young man has appeared on CNN with host Chris Cuomo and spoke to local media and The New York Times about his actions. He has also set up a GoFundMe account that has racked up donations totaling over $100,000, and climbing.
Speaking to Cuomo on CNN airwaves, Jackson said he would “definitely” report his father again if he had a do-over. “I’d definitely do it again,” he told the host.
Cuomo praised the teen for reporting on his father. “What you did was very, very hard. A lot of people wouldn’t do it, even with the basis you acted on, because they would be afraid of offending family, hurting feelings, especially the man who raised you,” Cuomo said. “And for you to put what’s right on top of that is no small task. This is not your fault.”
“I’m talking to you because I’m impressed by what you did. More importantly, why you did it,” the CNN host added.
“Yes I’m the kid on [CNN] I’m sorry I probably won’t get around to responding to everyone,” Jackson posted to Twitter on Friday. “My mom and my sisters are absolutely ruined about the news from what I did. This is the first they are hearing about my involvement in my dad’s arrest. Please send them love in any form.”
Since everyone asked here is the GoFundMe I threw together. Thank you guys seriously https://t.co/JSA4nxIRzc
— Guy Jackson (@jackson_reffitt) January 23, 2021
In the GoFundMe for the teen, he wrote, “I was interviewed on CNN and got so much support from thousands of people, so many asked for a Go Fund Me so here it is. Every penny is another course in college or me saving it for years to come. I might be kicked out of my house due to my involvement in my dad’s case, so every cent might help me survive. Thank you so much. Seriously”
According to the Times, Jackson is in his first semester studying political science at Collin College.